Kyoto Colors - Noren

Buan Chinese Restaurant

In the quiet residential area of Shimogamo, I happened upon an old-looking mansion surrounded by a fence. At first glance one could hardly believe that this mansion is in fact a Chinese restaurant. Hanging on the outside roofed gate is a noren with a unique drawing of a turnip.

Walking through the gate, one finds nearly an acre of land containing karesansui gardens and sukiya-style buildings. It looks more like an authentic Japanese ryotei restaurant, but it in fact the restaurant serves uniquely arranged Cantonese food. The name, Buan means Turnip Hut, reminding one that the restaurant was built in the middle of turnip fields back when it first opened in 1930.